This blog began as "The Vegan Investigation" which ran from 02/14-03/14/2011 and my fitness blog. Now it continues as my personal blog for fitness, nutrition and everyday life. I'm never afraid to push limits mentally or physically - some think I'm crazy, others think I'll push myself too hard - but either way, I'll never know my true limits until I push myself past them....Because people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

I finished my Marathon to Christmas AND set a new PR for my last mile!! I am so flippin' tired after that! Whew!! I busted out my last mile in 9:17!! I couldn't believe it!!! I was hurting in the third lap, but I sucked it up, blasted my IPOD and just rocked it out!! I am SO proud of myself!!! I took the last 0.2 of a mile easier since I whopped myself in that last full mile, but I got it done!!

My Marathon to Christmas - Mile 26 (and last 0.2)Total Time: 12:00 (with Mile 26 in 9:17!)Speed: Mile 26 was 6.5 to 7.0 (maintained 6.5 for most of the run except for last push to 7.0), last 0.2 was 3.8 walking then some 5.0 joggingTotal Calories Burned: 215 (including cool down walk)

Only 1.2 miles left now!!! Holy crap!!! I'm almost done!!! Ran Mile 25 in 9:35 - matched my previous PR!!! I'd love to try to push myself faster for my last mile and set a new PR - but I'm of the mindset that I'll just do the best I can!

I'm toying with the idea of setting a resolution for myself to run 365 miles in 2011 - at least 1 mile a day. This seems daunting, but I've been really enjoying this Marathon and I'd love to keep up with my running. We'll see if this happens. Over the past 24 days, I've incorporated running into my daily routine and its almost a habit now. Its someing I really look forward to and its a nice release of endorphins & stress every day. I'm still working on my resolutions for 2011 - but they will be finalized in a few weeks :-D

I have never really done resolutions in the past - as I thought they were just meaningless goals and excuses to put off what could have been done today. Its always been my goal to be a better person and in a better place than I was the year before. This last year was the first time I actually made a resolution (after my husband made a bet he is about to lose! haha!). I have now realized that these resolutions can help me become that better person in different aspects of my life. Who would have thought that something as silly as not dying my hair for a year would have been a 12 month test of character, patience & willpower! haha!

OH and I celebrated a little victory today - I got ALMOST all my hair back into a ponytail. This makes me happy considering only a few months ago the idiot hairdresser cut it WAY too short! My hair seems to grow faster when I don't destroy it with hair dye and bleach - go figure...

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

OMG I only have 2 miles left! That's amazing! I can't believe that I've ran 24 miles in 23 days! That's just astounding to me! I love it!! I am going to try to finish my Marathon tomorrow and give myself a few well earned rest days until Christmas!

I've been researching stuff for my Zumba classes and am really looking forward to getting that up and running! I am planning on doing a full Zumba workout and a Zumba Circuit workout which should be awesome! I am going to be spending my vacation time coming up with choreography, music and routines for my new classes. I am really looking forward to it.

Nutrition has been crappy over the past few days, but I'm back on track today. My step-son is in town, so its always tempting to go out and eat poorly - but I'm really trying to stay in line over this holiday so that I can get back to a cut phase once the holidays are over without having too much extra jiggle to work off. We went out to Red Robin for dinner last night, and while I didn't eat at a calorie surplus (according to the Bugg) my weight jumped 1.5 pounds - gotta love water weight! haha! I am looking forward to dropping that water weight tonight!

My Marathon To Christmas - Miles 23 and 24Total Time: 23:00Speed: 5.2 and 5.5 for last quarter mileTotal Calories Burned: 300 (guessing since I left my HRM at home)

Monday, December 20, 2010

OMG its been a crazy weekend! On Thursday afternoon, I drove up to Santa Fe in preparation for my Zumba licensing. The normally 40 min drive took me over an hour and a half with the weather. People were driving like asswipes and causing accidents and I got SO pissed! I love the snow, I just hate other drivers in the snow!

Anyways, after lots of confusion over locations & start times due to weather delays, Zumba happened! It was AMAZING! Our 8 hour workshop included 6 hours of dancing....yes 6 hours!!! I was exhausted!!! My BodyBugg said I burned over 3300 calories that day!!! Woot!

Since our class started late due to the snow, it ended later than expected. By the time I got out of class, the roads had already started to freeze again and I couldn't make it home! I stayed at my mom's house again and got to drive back on Saturday morning.

The hubby and I didn't get much time together because I had my kickboxing class on Saturday afternoon, then after that we went to our annual Christmas party with some friends. Since Halloween is our favorite holiday, we decided to have Halloween in December - thus why we call it Decemberween! This year's theme was dead musicians - so the hubby and I went as 20's Jazz singers - it was way fun!

Yesterday I took as a well deserved rest day. I didn't do a damn thing related to fitness and it was awesome. Nutrition has been awful over the past few days (that's what being stuck at someone else's house does! I eat random stuff!) - however my weight is still down lower than last week. I think the nutrition overhaul prior to Zumba and the workouts help offset that.

Today I got back on track and ran miles 21 and 22 back to back on the treadmill in 23:10! Gotta love it! I felt great getting that knocked out! Only 4 more miles and I am done with my marathon!! I love it!!! We are all done with our Christmas shopping, I only have to work through Wednesday and then I'm on vacation, and my step-son arrived earlier this morning! It is officially the holiday season!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

So I guess in a real marathon - this would be where I would hit "the wall". I thought I would have missed out on the joys of that since I wasn't running it straight....boy was I wrong! haha!

Today I hit the wall. I felt crappy this morning (had a bad incident with some nachos yesterday and still feel yucky today). I had errands to run after work and didn't plan enough food with what I had packed with the nutrition plan I was on - I needed to eat something or risk passing out...needless to say the only option was nachos from the cafe at work and I was paying the price for the rest of the evening. I got some ice cream later in the afternoon and it helped settle my stomach, but still wasn't 100% this morning.

Anyways, back to the run - so I hopped on the treadmill this morning I felt sluggish & yucky. Within the first 20 seconds I experienced a sharp pain in my right knee and I started to worry. I don't want another injury like the one I experienced before my 5K run. Then I remembered something that a friend of mine on Spark, TURBOAMIE, had stated - "You carry Anger in your Hips & Fear in your Knees"

So as I was running today, I started thinking about things that I might be afraid of. My Zumba certification is tomorrow - and I am terrified about that. What if I'm one of those poor people who isn't successful and they don't pass me? I am scared about tonight - due to weather, I have to drive to Santa Fe tonight so that I don't get caught in snow tomorrow morning. This is only the 2nd night that my husband and I will have spent apart in almost 4 years (the first being the night before the wedding - we decided to be traditionalists about that one). Being apart from him makes me nervous.

As I was running and contemplating those fears, I realized that things will work out exactly the way they are meant to and that worrying about them will due me absolutely NO good. I've been preparing for this certification for weeks and I shouldn't be worried about the outcome. My husband has told me numerous times over the past few days that he'd rather I drive to Santa Fe tonight then risk my own safety. I know that he loves me and that my staying in Santa Fe will be just as hard on him as it is for me - and for some reason that is oddly comforting

Though it seems like this might have taken a while - all of this mental evaluation happened over the course of about a minute during the beginning of my run. Once I came to peace with those fears, my knee pain disappeared instantaneously. It was astounding to me that fear could have been the culprit behind the pain I experienced and I think that the injury I experienced before my 5K could have been associated with the same thing - I was scared about the run!

I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and peace after coming to this conclusion and was able to finish my run at a nice fast pace of 9:39!!! Only 4 seconds off from my PR time yesterday! I couldn't believe it! What started as the hardest run of my Marathon so far, ended as one of my best times - all from overcoming a little bit of fear!

Even now, an hour or so after my run, I don't feel ANY lingering pain in my knee at all - granted, I will keep an eye on it, but I truly think that my body was displaying a direct reflection of my internal fears. With that being said - THANK YOU to TURBOAMIE for helping me overcome that which I was fearing. You will never know how truly impactful your words were to me.

Today, I hit a wall - but I busted through it. Only 6.2 miles until my Marathon to Christmas is complete. Words cannot describe how much this Marathon to Christmas has helped me improve physically and emotionally - and its not even over yet. I know I am not running a full Marathon, though I hope to someday - but pushing my body to exert 100% every single day over the past few weeks has proven to be my own endurance experience.

My weight is down 2 pounds from the beginning of my Nutritional overhaul, I'm sleeping better than I have in weeks and I feel great. Today is a good day and I look forward to what tomorrow will bring!! Go Zumba!!!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Wow! Things just keep getting better and better! I didn't sleep too well last night, but once I was awake I felt great again - this is something I attribute to the great nutrition I've been having over the past few days! I am down 2.5 pounds and feel awesome!

My Zumba certification is on Friday and they're expecting snow in the area - go figure! The one day I have to drive 70 miles for a class is the day they're expecting snow. I'll get there come hell or high water - but it might be an adventure!

I ran Marathon Mile 19 in my fastest yet - 9:35!!! I am so stoked!! I am going to TRY to get my remaining miles in less than 10 mins each - we will have to see how that goes! I only have 7 miles left until I am finished! Woot! If everything continues on this route, I might actually finish the Marathon this weekend! Yippee!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

I felt inspired on my lunch break to get another run in today! Yippee!! I got another mile run done in 9:51!! Today is the first day where I've completed 2 sub-10 min miles!!! I am STOKED!!! I know I'm getting stronger with my running - I can feel the changes my body is making and I LOVE it. I am more comfortable at the sub-10 mile pace than I was a week ago, and I am pushing myself harder than I have before! I feel like a bad ass! haha! Accomplishing things you never thought possible will totally do that - and that feeling is addictive!! :-D

Today is Day 3 of my nutrition overhaul and I feel AMAZING! Weight is down 1.5 pounds already and I slept better last night than I have in a few weeks! I am sold on this nutrition program!

I already ran Marathon Mile 17 today in 9:52! Woot!! It felt awesome to get another sub-10 min mile in. Those runs are getting more comfortable for me and I think I can start incorporating this pace into my longer distance runs. I am also finding that the sub-10 min mile pace is MUCH easier to do when I have some killer music playing. I must make a new playlist on the IPOD tonight! haha! Special thanks to Taio Cruz & Adam Lambert (my guilty pleasure!) for making today's run amazing!!

Might try to get another one in on my lunch break - we'll see how it goes!

Monday, December 13, 2010

I was extra motivated today and managed to sneak in another mile at work today! Woot! Marathon Mile 16 is toast - as are my legs from running 2 miles already today! haha! I can't believe I only have 10 miles of my Marathon left! Its amazing how fast the time has flown by! I am SO excited about the holidays! Its one of my most favorite times of the year!

Also, I am sold on this nutrition program - I am eating healthier foods, smaller portions and quality stuff and I feel AMAZING, and its only day 2! Its not often that I feel motivated to run extra miles at work! I think I might have found the nutrition program for me! Woot!

My Marathon to Christmas - Mile 16Total Time: 11:15Speed: 5.2-5.5 on treadmillTotal Calories Burned: 200 (this includes the 5 min cool down and walk back to my desk from the gym for a total time of 21 mins)

So we had an awesome weekend! Friday night, hubby & I had a date night at a local hockey game and had a blast! Saturday night, we had an amazing dinner at a friend's house and watched the UFC fight - which was probably one of the best title fights we've seen in a LONG time!

Since I had 3 workouts on Saturday - I took yesterday off from running. My legs just needed a rest. I did the 20 min Zumba workout and burned about 150 cals, but the treadmill just wasn't going to happen.

Got back on track this morning and ran Mile 15 for my marathon in 10:53. Not too shabby considering I am still half asleep! It just seems like I'm having a harder time catching up on sleep recently - gotta love the holidays!

I started my new 5 day nutritional overhaul yesterday and am LOVING it! I didn't feel hungry or deprived all day! I just want to get some of this extra water weight off before Christmas so I can truly see where I stand from a weight standpoint. My body feels so good when I make sure to keep my eating in line! Just the 1 day of eating better has made a huge difference so far! Can't wait to see where I am by Thursday!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

So this morning I woke up craving an ass whooping! haha! So I got up and did Zumba Sculpt & Tone with weighted gloves (my arms are gonna feel it tomorrow!) - I burned 450 Calories in 48 mins...and I'm already feeling sore from it! Woot! THEN, I hopped on the treadmill and knocked out Mile 14 of my Marathon to Christmas! I had to walk part of it because my legs felt like jello from Zumba, but its done! I feel awesome! Now time to eat, shower & relax until Kickboxing class at noon! Yippee!

Friday, December 10, 2010

I forgot to log in and update this thing yesterday - woops! Oh well, I'll get caught up today! Yesterday, I ran another mile under 10 mins - which proves that Mile 11 wasn't a fluke!! I am so proud of myself!! I find that if I put on some good music I can run faster than I expect!

Today I finished Mile 13 - the halfway point! Woot! I ran it in 11:03 - which is a little slower, but I forgot to put a belt on this morning and I'm in hip hugger jeans - not the best equation for a quick run. I had to tie my fleece around my hips to get through my run! Won't be making that mistake again! haha!

Anyways, I realized that my faster runs (sub-10 mins) push my body significantly harder than the ones longer than 10 mins, even if I get the same amount of calorie burn out of it. I have DOMS in different parts of my legs and it feels awesome! My inner thighs & hamstrings haven't been this sore in months - and I'm loving every minute of it!!! Bring on the pain!!!

My Zumba Certification is in a week and I am really looking forward to it. I haven't been able to get a lot of time for Zumba recently, but am going to get a workout in this afternoon or tomorrow for sure.

My nutrition has been good - I've been hitting my calorie count every day this week. Not seeing much progress though as the scale has been hovering around the same range. I think my sodium counts are too high and I'm retaining water weight. As of Sunday, I am going on a 5 day nutritional overhaul that should help get some of this water weight off - I'm excited about it! I am looking forward to getting back on track. I've been eating funky for a few weeks now (within calorie ranges, but not the healthiest of choices) and my body is actually craving healthier options! Bring on the veggies!!!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

So today was a huge milestone for me - for the first time in my life, I ran a mile in under 10 mins! I just had an odd feeling to push myself hard on the treadmill today and I finished in 9 mins 44 seconds!! I was so proud of myself! Words just can't describe the feeling that one gets when they complete something they thought was impossible. Its just incredible! What a great way to knock out Mile 11 of my "Marathon to Christmas"!!!

Might get some Zumba in this afternoon - dunno if I'll have time, but maybe!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

So I got Mile 10 of my Marathon to Christmas completed today! Yippee!! I am in the double digits and almost halfway done! That's exciting! I was a little sore from yesterday's 2 miler and didn't wear the best shoes - so I took my run a little slower today, but it felt nice to finish it!

There's lots of people at work that are getting sick - I guess its that time of year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't catch anything! I'm drinking a lot of fluids and the daily workouts help keep my metabolism & immune system up so hopefully I don't get anything yucky!

Weight is still hovering at my pre-Thanksgiving weight and I'm hoping to be down to the low 170s or high 160s by Christmas - we'll see if that happens though! Who knows - I could be pleasantly surprised! Still using the Bugg and loving every minute of it! Nutrition has been around 1400 cals a day, and the daily runs are a nice motivation to stay on track over the day as well!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Woot!! So we had an awesome weekend! Got my run and kickboxing done on Saturday (see prior blog) and had a blast with that. Yesterday, we helped a friend of ours move, so I got a lot of movement yesterday morning. I didn't get my run in, but I wasn't too upset about it since I was a mile ahead from last week anyways & I was running around all morning lifting things.

Been hitting my calories on the Bogy Bugg and weight is slowly starting to come down again. I am happy about that. Its really a great motivator to see that negative number on the screen at the end of each day!

Today, after work I am going to go shopping for some holiday clothes. I need a new pair of black pants, so might hit up some stores on the way home. Today at work on my lunch break, I was planning on getting in Mile 8, and I felt so good at the end of it that I just kept going and knocked out Mile 9 of my Marathon as well!! Wahoo! I am so excited! Definitely good times! Nothing like a 300+ calorie workout in the middle of a work day to make the day go faster!

My Marathon to Christmas - Miles 8 & 9Total Time: 22:57Speed: First 1.75 miles were 5.2, last 0.25 mile was 5.5-6.0 on treadmillTotal Calories Burned: 310

Gotta love it!! Might get a Zumba workout in this afternoon - we'll have to see how busy things get after work! Have a good one everybody!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

So its been a busy few days, but I've made time for my running workouts, which makes me happy. Weight is still up a little bit but I don't feel as bloated as I normally do, so I know something is going right. Nutrition has been good this week except for today. We had a kids birthday party to go to and I indulged in cake and cookies n cream ice cream! It was yummy!

My runs yesterday and today were a little slower than Mile 5, but I've been tired so I'm just happy they got done. Today I did my run 20 mins before teaching my cardio kickbox class and didn't want to kill my legs before then.

My "Marathon to Christmas" mile 7 - ran earlier todayTotal Time: 11:19 (same time as yesterday! Woot!)Speed: 5.2-5.5 on treadmillTotal Cals Burned: 180 (I think this is higher than yesterdays run since I maintained a faster pace during the whole run instead of fluctuating)

I also burned 420 cals during my kickbox class today in 45 min, so I am happy. Since today I am a little higher in cals in my food, I am glad I had a good burn in my workouts. Tomorrow we are helping a friend move, so that should be a nice burn too! Woot!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

So I have had a productive day! I got my mile run in today on my lunch break at work and it went really well! The fastest yet at 10:53!! Woot! When I got home from work, the hubby jumped on a video game and I was able to do some Zumba! Woot! 40 mins of cardio party! I love it!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

So today was a good day! I ran my first mile at work and got a nice little calorie burn. Then when I got home, the hubby and I watched the Dean Karnazes documentary about his 50 marathons - so inspirational! When my client came over tonight, he wanted me to work out with him, so I ran another mile and he pushed himself on the elliptical the whole time (16 resistance & 16 ramp!) I am so proud of him! We had an awesome turkey taco dinner and I'm at a nice 1400 cals for the day nutrition wise - its nice to get back on track!

About Me

I am also an avid reader who always has her Nook, Kindle or physical book with her. I have an amazing husband, a fabulous step son, a loving yet spoiled cat & a happy life. I couldn't really ask for anything more than this!

I am always willing to try something new. I love working out and I will always try to find a new and exciting challenge to push my body to the next level! I'm discovering a love for adventures that make me feel alive & incredible and I can't wait to share that with the rest of the world!

Disclaimer

Hillary is NOT a medical doctor and takes no responsibility in the use or misuse of any of her ramblings on this or any other form of media. You are big kids! Think for yourself! All the information in this blog is offered as-is, for informational purposes ONLY! Much of the information here, although medically referenced, exists outside the realm of conventional, accepted medial practice. The user of this information assumes all risks for its use or misuse. In no event shall the writer of this blog or any other person or entity involved in the production of this information be held liable for any damages stemming from the use or misuse of this information. Your continued reading of this blog indicates your acceptance of these terms & conditions.